Plan a responsible visit
Most of Poldark's filming locations are on the Cornish coast, and the easiest way to see them is by car, one area at a time. Penwith in the far west holds the mines and the best-known coves; the Lizard has the wreck beach and Kynance; the north coast around St Agnes has Nampara's clifftops and a second mine. Each makes a comfortable day, and a week lets you cover all of Cornwall without rushing. The houses in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire and the Bristol locations suit a separate trip, or a stop on the way to or from Cornwall.
Almost everything in Cornwall is free to see from public paths and beaches. The exceptions are Levant's beam engine, which runs on pre-booked National Trust tours, and the car parks, which mostly charge non-members. Away from Cornwall, Dyrham Park, Bowood, Berkeley Castle and Great Chalfield Manor are ticketed attractions with seasonal opening, and Chavenage House, which plays Trenwith, takes visitors by reservation only.
The Cornish coast is beautiful and genuinely dangerous. Cliff edges are unfenced and can crumble, the mining areas are scattered with old shafts and adits, and several beaches in this guide flood quickly on a rising tide. Keep to the South West Coast Path and signed routes, stay back from edges in wind, keep children and dogs close around mine workings, and check tide times before going down onto any beach. Phone signal is patchy, so tell someone your route on longer walks.
The Great Western main line runs from London Paddington to Penzance, stopping at St Austell (for Charlestown), Truro and Redruth (for St Agnes). Penzance is the station for the Penwith locations. For the houses, Bath Spa, Chippenham and Bradford on Avon serve Wiltshire and Dyrham Park, Kemble serves Tetbury, and Bristol Temple Meads is within walking distance of most Bristol locations.
National Rail journey planner ↗Buses from Penzance reach St Just, Porthcurno and Land's End, and services along the north coast link Newquay, Holywell and St Agnes, with extra seasonal routes in summer. Buses are useful for one or two stops but slow for a full Poldark day, and some locations, such as Porthgwarra, Predannack and Turnaware Point, have no practical bus access. Check current timetables before relying on them.
Traveline journey planner ↗National Trust car parks serve Botallack, Kynance, Gunwalloe, Predannack, Chapel Porth and Carnewas for Park Head; members park free. Levant's visitors park at Geevor Tin Mine. Porthcurno, Holywell and Charlestown have large village pay car parks, while Porthgwarra and Chapel Porth are small and fill early in summer. Penberth has no public parking, and Turnaware Point is reached on foot only. In Bristol, use city-centre car parks or park and ride.
Spring and early autumn are the best times for the Cornish coast: the paths are quieter, the heather on St Agnes Head flowers in late summer, and parking is easier. In July and August the beaches are busy and car parks at Kynance, Porthcurno and Chapel Porth fill by mid-morning. Levant's tours, beach cafés and many house openings are seasonal, so check calendars before planning, and allow for winter storms, when coast paths can be closed.
Most Cornish locations involve uneven coast paths, steep beach access or rough mine ground, and are not suitable for wheelchairs beyond the car parks and nearby viewpoints. Charlestown's harbour is mostly level, Porthcurno has a short sandy path, and the clifftops near the Kynance car park are reasonably flat. Levant has limited accessible parking by arrangement. Chavenage says its historic house has steps and no wheelchair access. In Bristol, the Old Vic foyer is step-free. Contact each venue before travelling.
Some Poldark places are private and are not pinned on our map or given directions: the farmhouse used for Nampara's exterior, the miners' cottages on Bodmin Moor and the cottage used for Dwight's home near Gunwalloe. Chavenage House is a family home visited by reservation only. Penberth is a working cove with private cottages, and All Saints Court and Tailor's Court in Bristol include homes and offices. Please look from public paths, don't knock on doors and don't photograph people's homes.
Ready-made days out
Public places only, in a sensible order. Check each stop's opening before you set off.
Full day (7–9 hours including the Levant tour) · Car
Ross's mines and Nampara Cove in one day: Botallack, Levant's beam engine, Porthgwarra and Porthcurno.
Book the Levant beam engine tour first and build the day around it. Botallack to Levant is about 15 minutes by car, Levant to Porthgwarra about 35 minutes and Porthgwarra to Porthcurno about 10. Check tide times for Porthgwarra and Porthcurno, and stay on marked paths around the mines. St Just or Sennen make the best overnight base.
5–7 hours · Car
Kynance Cove's stacks, the wreck beach at Gunwalloe and the riding cliffs at Predannack Wollas.
Start at Kynance on a falling tide, as the sand covers at high water. Kynance to Gunwalloe is about 25 to 35 minutes by car, and Gunwalloe to Predannack about 20 to 30. Use National Trust car parks and signed paths; Mullion is the natural overnight base.
6–8 hours · Car, then on foot
Truro's harbour at Charlestown, then the Nampara clifftops at St Agnes Head and the engine houses of Wheal Coates.
Explore Charlestown's harbour on foot in the morning, then drive about an hour to St Agnes. Walk the coast path from St Agnes Head south towards Wheal Coates, or drive the few minutes to the Chapel Porth car park. Stay overnight in St Agnes or St Austell.
6–7 days · Car
Six days covering every major Cornish Poldark area, from Charlestown and Bodmin Moor to the Lizard and Penwith, with a seventh day free for Doc Martin's Port Isaac.
Days 1–2: Charlestown and Bodmin Moor, based in St Austell. Day 3: Holywell Bay, St Agnes Head and Wheal Coates, based in St Agnes. Day 4: the Lizard, based in Mullion. Days 5–6: Penwith, based in St Just. On day 7, Port Isaac on the north coast is a separate show's territory: our Doc Martin guide at /guides/doc-martin/ covers it. Drives between areas take 25 to 90 minutes; check live routes, tides and weather each day.
Guided tour
An independent local operator running Poldark day tours of west Cornwall and longer packages. Routes vary, so check which locations are included. Check dates and book direct.
Check dates and book direct ↗Guided tour
Private guided Poldark tours for small groups, with pickup by arrangement. Check the itinerary and pickup point, then book direct.
Check dates and book direct ↗Where to stay
Booking.com links are paid links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The closest town to Botallack and Levant, with Porthgwarra and Porthcurno half an hour south.
Search Booking.com stays ↗Handy for Porthgwarra, Gwennap Head and Porthcurno, with Land's End next door.
Search Booking.com stays ↗The base for the Lizard: Kynance, Gunwalloe and Predannack are all within 20 minutes.
Search Booking.com stays ↗Walk to St Agnes Head and Wheal Coates; Holywell Bay is 20 minutes away.
Search Booking.com stays ↗For Charlestown's harbour, with Bodmin Moor and Turnaware Point within an hour.
Search Booking.com stays ↗Walk to the Old Vic, the New Room and the Old City, and drive to Dyrham, Corsham and Berkeley.
Search Booking.com stays ↗